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The Medieval World

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The Medieval World

By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
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About this listen

Far from being a time of darkness, the Middle Ages was an essential period in the grand narrative of Western history. But what was it like to actually live in those extraordinary times? Now you can find out.

These 36 lectures provide a different perspective on the society and culture of the Middle Ages - one that entrenches you in the daily human experience of living during this underappreciated era. Drawing on history, literature, the arts, technology, and science, these lectures will deepen the way you understand not only the Middle Ages but everything that came afterward: From the Renaissance, to the Enlightenment, to your own world.

Filled with amazing insights, this series brings you closer than ever before to life as it was lived and felt. You'll meet the likes of William Caxton, England's first printer who not only printed and distributed a variety of works but also often had to translate them himself; learn about Hugh of Payns and the role of his Knights Templar - organized for the protection of pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem - in the creation of the first modern bank; see how communities dealt with marriage in a time when the church had not yet drawn this institution into its orbit; and much more.

Rich with information and period detail (including revealing examples of medieval literature from the English, French, Norse, Icelandic, and Italian worlds), these lectures will dramatically increase your understanding of how lives in the Middle Ages were really lived.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2009 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2009 The Great Courses
Ancient

What listeners say about The Medieval World

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Excellent overview of the middle ages.

Well designed course with a logical progression of topics through the medieval period. Excellent descriptions of the living conditions of all classes, not just the wealthy. The lecturer was engaging and clearly knowledgeable.

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3 people found this helpful

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Thorough and enthusiastic history

I loved this audiobook, found it fascinating and enthralling. The lecturer’s enthusiasm for her subject was clear and her presentation was engaging. Covered a wide range of topics and each chapter flowed logically into the next. Highly recommend.

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Very informative

The lectures cover a vast array of subjects about the period. Her accent is harsh!

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Interesting but what was in some areas

Enjoyed it overall
But was weak on technology and climate
I feel it was written with too much or alarms on the written record

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1 person found this helpful

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Fantastic content

There is so much to learn in this series of lectures and I loved every one of them. The narration is not great but does not detract too much from the content.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable and informative but repeats info

This is enjoyable and informative but does repeats stuff regularly from one chapter to the next. Also the narrator was very slow and I had to speed it up a lot to cope with it.

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A fabulous introduction to the Medieval World

Dorsey Armstrong is a fabulous historian and a fantastic educator. This course covers a vast millennium of history, and Armstrong's combination of attentive scholarship, clear articulation, entertaining presentation and eye for the intriguing brings the Medieval World to life. Highly recommended!

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Reasonable basic overview, not great on detail

If you're new to medieval history, or want a refresher course, this isn't bad at all. The lectures on aspects of daily life are hit and miss and there are quite a few factual errors.

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